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100 goldsmiths with collective clout to deliver $100,000 in Fairtrade Premium have registered with Fairtrade

By Gonzaga Mungai | August 5th, 2014 |

One hundred small jewellers have registered as Fairtrade Goldsmiths in just three months of the new scheme opening, with a potential collective clout to deliver $100,000 US in Fairtrade premium back to artisanal and small-scale mining communities in South America.

Fairtrade’s unique system now allows small jewellers, goldsmiths, silversmiths and artists to use ethically sourced Fairtrade gold and silver in their jewellery by registering with Fairtrade’s simple online Goldsmiths Registration Scheme.

The scheme is already playing a vital role in the ethical transformation of the jewellery sector, with plans afoot to create a range of products from wedding bands to luxury bespoke jewellery and commemorative coins.

Reena Agarwal, Commercial Account Manager for Fairtrade gold said: “It’s a great time for small jewellers to engage with Fairtrade. The ethical jewellery market is rapidly growing and the FAIRTRADE Mark is the most widely recognized ethical certification label globally. Fairtrade has a strong brand profile with high awareness, good top level understanding of fair prices paid to producers and is very well trusted.

“Fairtrade gold and precious metals is a ground breaking initiative that offers a lifeline to poor and exploited small-scale miners around the world. It is the best way to communicate the benefits of responsibly sourced metal to customers. As well as our registered jewellers, we also have 50 full licensees buying larger volumes of gold who are permitted to stamp their jewellery.”

Small jewellers purchase certified Fairtrade Gold and precious metals from a choice of five dedicated ‘master licensees’ in a semi-finished form, such as sheet, wire, tube or casting grain. The benefits of the scheme include free annual registration andvery little administration. In return those joining agree to abide by certain terms and conditions that include only using certain pre-determined marketing materials and agreeing to the annual limits of 500g of gold or platinum or 2kg’s of silver. Finished product does not carry the Fairtrade stamp.

“Together, small jewellers have the opportunity and numbers to transform the national market and contribute towards improving the lives of marginalised artisanal and small scale miners through the power of their creativity”, Reena added.

Since becoming Fairtrade certified, mining groups surviving in arid desert landscapes have been able to invest in projects for waters, electricity and the improvement of education and health projects including study and sports grants for students. Groups have also improved safety procedures and equipment and introduced new technologies to advance production methods and increase the amount of gold they can extract.

For more information on participating in the Fairtrade Goldsmith Registration Scheme, please contact: gold@fairtrade.net